Device for fastening a sports boot to a board for gliding

ABSTRACT

A device for fastening a sports boot to a board for gliding, comprising a first element ( 1 ) for connecting to a boot, comprising a first jaw ( 2 ) capable of fastening a first front part ( 31 ) of the boot and a second element ( 11 ) for linking to a boot, comprising a second jaw ( 12 ) capable of fastening to a second part ( 32 ) of the boot arranged to the rear of the first part in order to exert a control function on the board for gliding, the device also comprising a means ( 22, 22′ ) for elastic return of the boot toward the board for gliding, wherein the two linking elements ( 1, 11 ) are distinct, the second linking element ( 11 ) being linked to the fastening device in a zone arranged to the front of the position of the second jaw ( 12 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for fastening a sports boot to a boardfor gliding, particularly suited for cross-country skiing or ski hiking,i.e. allowing a rotation of the boot about a pin located toward thefront of the boot. It also relates to a board for gliding as such,equipped with a device of this type.

A binding of this type has to fulfill two conflicting requirements:

-   -   on the one hand, it has to allow maximum progression of the foot        toward the front, in order to offer a wide amplitude of movement        in “conventional” cross-country skiing;    -   on the other hand, it has to allow optimum control of the ski        when skating, which requires maximum contact of the foot on the        ski for proper control of the latter and in order to limit the        risks of the boot twisting relative to the ski.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A first family of prior-art solutions in response to these requirementsconsists in a beam mounted movably on the ski and having fastening meansfor receiving a boot sole, the anchorage of the boot extending over azone delimited by the front of the sole and a rear limit located to thefront of the metatarso-phalangeal joint. The majority of such solutionsare based on an anchorage of the sole of the boot via two pins arrangedunder the sole and interacting with two anchorage means of complementaryform arranged on the movable beam. The advantage of such solutions istheir robustness and their effectiveness in controlling the ski.Documents FR 2 642 980 and FR 2 719 229 describe such solutions, inwhich the beam is mounted movably in rotation on the ski about ahorizontal and transverse pin. However, they present the drawback ofbeing highly complex since a number of parts and springs are required onthe beam, in particular for implementing the functions of locking andunlocking the sole of the boot.

Other solutions propose beams provided with more complex movements thana simple rotation, or with more complex forms in order to improve thetransmission of the forces. For example, documents WO 9637269 and WO0013755 propose such solutions. These are even more complex andexpensive to implement. Furthermore, they propose complex solutions forattaching and detaching the boot. In response to this latter problem,document EP 1 388 356 proposes a solution based on a beam provided withanchorage means allowing a simpler step-in-type attachment mechanism.However, in spite of everything, the construction proposed is stillcomplex.

The second family of prior-art solutions is based on a solution in whichthe boot is fastened in its front part to a first fastening means, whichallows good progression for the boot. A separate means for controllingthe ski is provided. In order to fulfill this second function, a firstsolution is based on a guide edge arranged over a significant part ofthe length of the boot, combined with an elastic return means arrangedon the front of the device, consisting of a block of deformablematerial, known as Flexor, in order to tend to push the boot backagainst the ski. However, this first solution is bulky at the front ofthe binding, which impedes progression of the foot, and control of theski is unsatisfactory when skating. A second solution described indocument FR 2 739 788 is based on a second anchorage of the boot at apoint further to the rear, via a rod that fulfills the two functions ofcontrol and elastic return of the boot. This second solution improvescontrol of the ski but adds bulk and complexity in the rear part of thedevice. These solutions of the second family are simpler than thepreceding solutions of the first family, but they nevertheless presentthe drawbacks mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention thus consists in proposing a noveldevice for fastening a boot to a board for gliding that does not presentthe drawbacks of the prior-art solutions.

More precisely, a first object of the present invention consists inproposing a simplified device for fastening a boot to a board forgliding that nevertheless meets the requirements of progression of thefoot and control of the ski.

A second object of the present invention consists in proposing afastening device for which the attachment and detachment mechanism issimple and user-friendly.

The concept of the invention makes it possible to define a family offastening devices half-way between the preceding two families, based ontwo distinct elements for linking to the boot, one being movably mountedin rotation relative to the other, each comprising a jaw for fasteningan anchorage means of the boot, the two means being given complementarymovements enabling, at one and the same time, a boot to belocked/unlocked simply and in a user-friendly manner, good control andreturn of the boot over the ski, and optimum progression of the footover the board for gliding.

More precisely, the invention is based on a device for fastening asports boot to a board for gliding, comprising a first element forconnecting to a boot, comprising a first jaw capable of fastening afirst front part of the boot and a second element for linking to a boot,comprising a second jaw capable of fastening to a second part of theboot arranged to the rear of the first part in order to exert a controlfunction on the board for gliding, the device also comprising a meansfor elastic return of the boot toward the board for gliding, wherein thetwo linking elements are distinct and movably mounted in rotationrelative to the each other, the second linking element being linked tothe fastening device in a zone arranged to the front of the position ofthe second jaw.

According to a first variant embodiment, the second element for linkingto a boot is mounted movably in rotation on a base of the device, abouta pin arranged toward the front of the device. It may have two armsprovided at their ends with a hook forming the second jaw.

The second jaw of the device may be fastened to the second linkingelement and may have the form of a hook oriented toward the front of thedevice. It may have a sliding surface to promote the progressivepositioning of the boot in this jaw in a phase of attaching a boot.

According to one variant embodiment, the first element for linking to aboot is mounted movably in rotation about a pin arranged toward thefront of the device, which may be mounted on the base of the device.This pin may be the same pin as the rotation pin of the second linkingelement. In a variant embodiment, this pin may be mounted on the secondlinking element.

The first jaw of the device may be fastened to the first linkingelement. It may have the form of a hook oriented toward the rear of thedevice in the rest position and have a sliding surface to promote theprogressive positioning of the boot in this jaw during a phase ofattaching a boot.

According to another variant embodiment, the first linking element maycomprise a surface or a lever suitable for its rotation toward the frontin order to release the boot.

The means for elastic return of the boot toward the board for glidingmay be a torsion spring mounted on a rotation pin of a linking element,acting, on the one hand, on the board for gliding or on a base of thedevice, and, on the other hand, on the first linking element. Thistorsion spring may act on the first linking element to tend to itsrotation toward the rear of the device, bringing a surface to abut on asurface of the second linking element held in a longitudinal position inthe rest position of the device.

The means for elastic return of the boot toward the board for glidingmay fulfill a first function of elastic return and a second function oflocking the boot.

The two linking elements may be substantially perpendicular in the restposition of the binding.

Lastly, the invention also relates to a ski as such, equipped with adevice for fastening a sports boot, as defined above.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present inventionwill be set forth in detail in the following description of particularembodiments that are given in connection with the appended figures,without limitation, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the device according to a firstembodiment of the invention, in its rest position on the ski;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the fastening device according to the firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the fastening device of the firstembodiment of the invention, in a slightly raised position;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the fastening device in a slightlyraised position according to a variant of the first embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 5 a to 5 c show a side view of the fastening device according tothe variant of the first embodiment of the invention, in intermediatephases of attaching a boot;

FIG. 5 d shows a side view of the fastening device according to a secondembodiment of the invention, when a boot is attached;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the device according to the variantof the first embodiment of the invention, in its rest position on theski in a phase of detaching a boot;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the fastening device according to asecond embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the fastening device according to the secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the fastening device according to the thirdembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a variant embodiment of the invention in which a Flexor isimplemented.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In order to make the following description simpler and to demonstratethat the concept of the invention may advantageously be implemented onexisting cross-country ski boots, the following embodiments will bedescribed within the context of a fastening device that is compatiblewith a ski boot comprising two metal pins for attaching under its sole,according to a standard known in the field of cross-country ski boots,the first pin being located toward the front end of the boot and thesecond, to the rear of the first, toward the zone of themetatarso-phalangeal joint of the foot. Naturally, the same concept ofthe invention is not dependent on a particular attaching means and couldbe adapted to different boots with other anchorage means.

FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention. Thefastening device comprises a base 20 mounted on a ski 10. A firstelement 1 for linking to a boot is mounted movably in rotation about apin 21 of the base and a second element 11 for linking to a boot ismounted movably in rotation about the same pin 21.

The first linking element 1 comprises a first jaw 2 in the form of anarc of a circle, or a hook, the shape of which is adapted in order toreceive the front pin of the sole of a cross-country ski boot. In therest position of the binding, this arc of a circle is orientedsubstantially toward the rear of the board for gliding. Incidentally,the terms “front” and “rear”, in the case of the fastening device, willbe used with reference to the front and the rear of the foot and of theski. This linking element 1 also comprises an upper surface 3 adaptedfor manipulation as will be described in detail below, a lower surface 4in contact with the second linking element 11 in certain positions ofthe device, and a sliding surface 5 for promoting attachment of theboot, as will be described in detail below.

The second element 11 for linking to the boot comprises a second jaw 12of a form similar to the first jaw 2, arranged at the end of two arms 13of the linking element, the length of which allows this second jaw tointeract with the second pin of the cross-country ski boot. This secondlinking element 11 further comprises a sliding surface 15 that isrelatively stiff at the location of the jaw 12 in order to be involvedin the mechanism for attaching a boot, two ends 16 of the arms 13 thatsurround the first linking element 1 in order to fasten the secondelement 11 on the same rotation pin 21 of the base 20 of the device.Lastly, it comprises a surface 14 that interacts with the surface 4 ofthe first element 1, as will be explained below.

This fastening device also comprises an elastic return means that is notvisible in the figures as it is implemented by means of a torsion springpositioned on the pin 21, the functioning of which will be described indetail below.

The functioning of the fastening device will be described in moreprecise detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 that show a variantembodiment provided with the same kinematics, which differs from thesolution described above in that it comprises a lever 3′ for its manualactuation. This lever 3′ is mounted movably in rotation on a pinpositioned in the upper part of the linking element 1. It is free torotate in the direction oriented toward the rear of the binding so asnot to impede the progression movement of the foot. Thus, when thelinking element 1 is turned toward the front of the device, after araising of the foot, the lever 3′ enters into contact with the frontsurface of the ski or of the base of the binding and this contact givesrise to its rotation relative to the linking element 1, withoutresistance and without impeding the movement of the latter in any way.On the other hand, a stop limits its rotation in the reverse direction,i.e. toward the front of the device. Thus, any force on the uppersurface of this lever 3′, using a ski pole, for example, will have theeffect of transmitting a significant force to the element 1, generatingits rotation toward the front of the device, by virtue of the lever-armprinciple, which is useful, in particular, for detaching the boot fromthe grip of the first jaw 2, as will be described in detail below. Asidefrom its contact with the ski or the base, this lever 3′ isadvantageously held in its position against this stop illustrated inFIG. 4 by a very lightweight spring (not shown).

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the two linking elements 1, 11 of thefastening device, which are movable in rotation about the same pin 21 ofthe base 20 of the device, allow flanking of the movement of a boot whenpracticing cross-country skiing. FIG. 4 illustrates the presence of thetorsion spring 22 mounted on the rotation pin 21 of the linking elementsand which acts on the linking element 1 in order to tend to its rotationtoward its rest position, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. This spring 22is visible more particularly in FIG. 8, which corresponds to a secondembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5 a to 5 c illustrate the mechanism for attaching a standard bootknown from the prior art, comprising a first, front pin 31 toward theend of the sole of the boot and a second pin 32 arranged slightly infront of the limit of the metatarso-phalangeal joint of the user's foot.In these figures, only the two linking pins 31, 32 of the sole areshown, for reasons of simplification and clarity. Before attachment ofthe boot, the fastening device is at rest: the second linking element 11is in the longitudinal position, bearing on the ski, the first linkingelement 1 is in a substantially vertical position, its lower surface 4abutting against the surface 14 of the second linking element. Theposition of the two linking elements is maintained in this rest positionstably, through the effect of the torsion spring 22.

FIG. 5 a illustrates a first method for attaching a boot, the first,front pin 31 of which is first of all positioned in the first jaw 2.Next, the second pin 32 is lowered in contact with the sliding surface15 of the second linking element 11. The distance between the two jaws2, 12 is such that lowering the boot on the board for gliding,generating sliding of the second pin 32 downward, generates a forwardrotation of the first jaw 2 containing the front pin 31 through theforce exerted by the foot, which opposes the spring 22. When the pin 32reaches the lower end of the sliding surface 15, it automatically takesup a position in the second jaw 12 of the fastening device. At the sametime, the first linking element 1, released from the force exerted bythe boot, resumes a less advanced position, through the effect of thespring 22, reaching the final attaching position illustrated in FIG. 5 ddescribed below.

FIG. 5 b illustrates a second attaching method, in which the rear pin 32of the boot is firstly positioned in the second jaw 12, the first pin 31sliding over the sliding surface 5 of the first linking element 1,generating rotation of the latter toward the front under the weight ofthe foot until it takes up a position in the first jaw 2, the fasteningdevice then also reaching the position of FIG. 5 d.

Lastly, a third method for attaching a boot is shown in FIG. 5 c, inwhich the boot is lowered toward the device substantially horizontallyuntil the two pins 31, 32 come into contact with the sliding surfaces 5,15, of the linking elements 1, 11, respectively. In order to proceedwith attaching the boot, the user continues to press his foot downward:this pressure from the boot creates a torsion force on the element 1,which opposes the force exerted by the spring 22 and gives rise to itsforward rotation, as illustrated in FIG. 5 c, the second element 11remaining immobile. In parallel, the pins 31, 32 are displaced downward,guided by the sliding surfaces 5, 15, the rounded form and slope ofwhich are provided for this purpose. When the pins reach the lower endof these sliding surfaces, they automatically take up position in thejaws 2, 12, respectively, of the fastening device. At the same time, thefirst linking element 1 is freed from the force exerted by the boot andresumes a position more to the rear through the effect of the spring 22,this movement at the same time generating locking of the pin 31 of theboot in the jaw 2.

FIG. 5 d thus illustrates the final position of the boot in the positionof attaching by means of the fastening device of the invention. Thisfigure corresponds to the second embodiment of the invention, thespecific details of which will be explained below. The dimensions of thetwo linking elements 1, 11 are provided in order to correspondapproximately to the spacing-apart of the pins 31 and 32 of the boot,the center distance between the two jaws 2, 12 in the rest positionbeing shorter than the distance between the two pins 31, 32 of the boot,such that in the final attaching position the two jaws exert acontinuous pressure on the pins of the boot. As shown in FIG. 5 d, theresult of this is that the first linking element 1 is not completely inits rest position, its surface 4 no longer arriving in abutment on thesurface 14 of the second linking element 11. This configurationguarantees locking of the boot. In fact, in this attaching position, theonly possibility for the front pin 31 of the boot to be released fromthe first, front jaw 2 would be by means of its substantiallylongitudinal displacement toward the rear of the device. A displacementof this type is impossible on account of the second jaw 12, in the formof a hook, oriented toward the front of the binding, which holds thesecond pin 32 of the boot and prevents a displacement of this typetoward the rear. Similarly, the second pin 32 of the boot could not bereleased from the second jaw 12 other than by a displacement toward thefront of the boot: in point of fact, a displacement of this type isprevented by the first jaw 2, in the form of a hook, oriented toward therear. Thus, the boot is properly attached and locked in the fasteningdevice.

This device allows the raising of the heel of the boot, which gives riseto the rotation toward the front of the first linking element 1 aboutits pin 21. This rotation also gives rise to the rotation of the secondlinking element 11 in the same direction, which thus, passively andindependently of the first linking element 1, follows the movement ofthe boot.

When practicing conventional cross-country skiing, this raising of theheel may take place without limit until the foot has progressed to themaximum extent, since there is no particular immobilization of thedevice thanks to its simplified configuration that offers no bulk. Whenthe boot reaches a position of maximum raising of the heel, the spring22 exerts a significant counterforce on the first linking element 1,rotation of which toward the front has achieved a maximum position. Thisforce of the spring then encourages the ski closer to the boot duringthe skier's opposite movement, tending to rest his foot on the ski.

When practicing skating, the second element 11 for linking to the bootallows optimum control of the ski when the boot is raised, in particularpreventing twisting of the ski relative to the boot. Furthermore, thetorsion spring 22 exerts a force between the ski and the first linkingelement 1 that gives rise to a return of the ski, in rotation, towardthe boot. The spring 22 thus globally exerts an elastic return force,which tends to bring the ski and the boot closer together, therebyfurther enhancing the control of the ski during skating. Also providedis a groove/rib mechanism on the sole of the boot and the surface of thefastening device, in a manner known from the prior art, in order toimprove this control of the ski when the boot is close to its surface.

In order to release the boot from the fastening device, its suffices tobear on the upper surface of the lever 3′ of the linking device 1, forexample using a pole, in the direction of the arrow B, as illustrated inFIG. 6, in order to generate rotation toward the front of this firstlinking element 1, opposing the force of the torsion spring 22, untilthe front pin 31 of the boot is released from the first jaw 2. As soonas this pin 31 has been released, the movement of the boot toward thefront and upward is possible, which then allows the release of thesecond pin 32 of the boot from the second jaw 12. Thus, this mechanismoffers the advantage of great simplicity and requires no complexmanipulation, not requiring, for example, the skier to bend down towardthe fastening device in order to manipulate it.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention, whichdiffers from the preceding embodiment in terms of the form of thelinking elements 1, 11. Functioning of the device, however, is still thesame. FIG. 8 shows, more precisely, the position of the ends of thespring 22, an arm 23 of which acts on the front face of the linkingelement 1, the other arm 23′ resting on the base of the device. Thespring thereby exerts its return function between the linking element 1and the ski.

FIG. 9 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention in which the twolinking elements 1, 11 are given a rotation movement about two separatepins 21′, 21″, the first rotation pin 21′ of the first linking element 1being mounted directly on the second linking element 11, of which thesecond rotation pin 21″ is mounted on the base of the device and onwhich the torsion spring 22 is mounted, an arm 23 of which acts on thefirst linking element 1 as in the preceding embodiments. Other variantembodiments can be made in which the two linking elements are mounted inrotation one relative to the other, on the basis of a differentarrangement. For example, the first rotation pin 21′ could be mounted onthe base and the second rotation pin 21″ on the first linking element.

Lastly, the concept of the invention makes it possible to envisage a newfamily of solutions of devices for fastening sports boots on a board forgliding, which has numerous advantages that will be listed below andwhich, in particular, combines the advantages of each of the existingtwo families defined in the introduction. This concept has beenillustrated within the context of standardized sports boots, but couldbe applied to any other standard for anchoring a boot.

The concept of the invention makes it possible to offer a solution thathas the advantages of the first family of solutions of the prior art,based on a movable beam, as described. Replacing the complex beam of theprior art by two distinct, movable linking elements, two sorts ofindependent “simplified beams”, makes it possible to avoid thecomplexity of these known solutions with only one beam.

In a complementary manner, the concept of the invention also makes itpossible to offer a solution that has the advantages of the secondfamily of solutions of the prior art, in particular the solutiondescribed in document FR 2 739 788. Using a control means whose point oflinking with the fastening device is placed to the front of itsanchorage point with the boot allows a simplification of the function ofcontrol and an advantageous disassociation of the functions of controland elastic return.

This elastic return means has been shown in the form of a torsion springmounted on the rotation pin of at least one linking element in thepreceding embodiments, as this configuration offers the followingnumerous advantages:

-   -   this spring offers minimum bulk;    -   it makes it possible to predetermine a use orientation of the        fastening device: e.g. a device designed, rather, for use in        skating mode may be provided with a very stiff spring in order        to exert a significant return of the ski, whereas a device        designed more for conventional cross-country skiing may be        provided with a more flexible spring, which promotes significant        progression of the foot;    -   this spring in fact fulfills two functions in the preceding        embodiments: it has the elastic return function mentioned above        and is also an essential element in the locking of the boot.        This combination of functions in a single element naturally        allows the device to be simplified.

However, other return means, such as a spring acting on the secondlinking means, a Flexor arranged to the front of the device, acompression spring positioned on the front and/or a draw spring on therear, or two return springs acting, respectively, on each of the twolinking elements 1, 11, the surfaces 4 and 14 no longer being of use inthis latter configuration, could also be used without departing from theconcept of the invention. The variant embodiment with Flexor isillustrated in FIG. 10, in which a Flexor 22′ acts on the first linkingelement 1 in order to tend to hold it in the rest position illustrated.

Lastly, the solution according to the invention satisfactorily fulfillsthe objects sought and offers the following advantages:

-   -   it is simple, since it is based on the following, few essential        elements: a first linking element, linked, on the one hand, to        the device, and, on the other hand, to a boot, comprising a        first jaw fastened to this element, a second linking element        that comprises, similarly, a second fixed jaw, a simple movement        of these two elements, an element for elastic return of the        device toward the rest position;    -   it guarantees good performance levels, for conventional        cross-country skiing and for skating, control of the ski        remaining optimum and progression of the foot significant;    -   it allows very simple attaching of a boot, of step-in type, and        detachment that is simple and user-friendly, also;    -   it is compatible with existing boots.

1. A device for fastening a sports boot to a board for gliding,comprising a first element (1) for connecting to a boot, comprising afirst jaw (2) capable of fastening a first front part (31) of the bootand a second element (11) for linking to a boot, comprising a second jaw(12) capable of fastening to a second part (32) of the boot arranged tothe rear of the first part in order to exert a control function on theboard for gliding, the device also comprising a means (22, 22′) forelastic return of the boot toward the board for gliding, wherein the twolinking elements (1, 11) are distinct, one being movably mounted inrotation relative to the other about a pin (21; 21′), the second linkingelement (11) being linked to the fastening device in a zone arranged tothe front of the position of the second jaw (12).
 2. The device forfastening a sports boot to a board for gliding as claimed in claim 1,wherein the second element (11) for linking to a boot is mounted movablyin rotation on a base (20) of the device, about a pin (21) arrangedtoward the front of the device.
 3. The device for fastening a sportsboot to a board for gliding as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondjaw (12) of the device is fastened to the second linking element (11).4. The device for fastening a sports boot to a board for gliding asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the second jaw (12) of the device is in theform of a hook oriented toward the front of the device.
 5. The devicefor fastening a sports boot to a board for gliding as claimed in claim4, wherein the second jaw (12) has a sliding surface (15) to promote theprogressive positioning of the boot in this jaw in a phase of attachinga boot.
 6. The device for fastening a sports boot to a board for glidingas claimed in claim 1, wherein the second linking element (11) has twoarms (13) provided at their ends with a hook forming the second jaw(12).
 7. The device for fastening a sports boot to a board for glidingas claimed in claim 1, wherein the first element (1) for linking to aboot is mounted movably in rotation about a pin (21; 21′) arrangedtoward the front of the device.
 8. The device for fastening a sportsboot to a board for gliding as claimed in claim 1, wherein the firstelement (1) for linking to a boot is mounted movably in rotation about apin (21; 21′) of the base (20) of the device.
 9. The device forfastening a sports boot to a board for gliding as claimed in claim 1,wherein the first element (1) for linking to a boot is mounted movablyin rotation about the same rotation pin (21) of the base (20) as thesecond linking element (11).
 10. The device for fastening a sports bootto a board for gliding as claimed in claim 7, wherein one element (1;11) for linking to a boot is mounted movably in rotation about a pin(21′; 21″) of the other linking element (11; 1).
 11. The device forfastening a sports boot to a board for gliding as claimed in claim 1,wherein the first jaw (2) of the device is fastened to the first linkingelement (1).
 12. The device for fastening a sports boot to a board forgliding as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first jaw (2) of the deviceis in the form of a hook oriented toward the rear of the device in therest position.
 13. The device for fastening a sports boot to a board forgliding as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first jaw (2) has a slidingsurface (5) to promote the progressive positioning of the boot in thisjaw during a phase of attaching a boot.
 14. The device for fastening asports boot to a board for gliding as claimed in claim 1, wherein thefirst linking element comprises a surface (3) or a lever (3′) suitablefor its rotation toward the front in order to release the boot.
 15. Thedevice for fastening a sports boot to a board for gliding as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the means (22) for elastic return of the boot towardthe board for gliding is a torsion spring mounted on a rotation pin (21,21″) of a linking element (1, 11), acting, on the one hand, on the boardfor gliding (10) or on a base (20) of the device, and, on the otherhand, on the first linking element (1).
 16. The device for fastening asports boot to a board for gliding as claimed in claim 1, wherein thetorsion spring (22) acts on the first linking element (1) to tend to itsrotation toward the rear of the device, bringing its surface (4) to abuton a surface (14) of the second linking element (11) held in alongitudinal position in the rest position of the device.
 17. The devicefor fastening a sports boot to a board for gliding as claimed in claim1, wherein the means (22) for elastic return of the boot toward theboard for gliding fulfills a first function of elastic return and asecond function of locking the boot.
 18. The device for fastening asports boot to a board for gliding as claimed in claim 1, wherein thetwo linking elements (1, 11) are substantially perpendicular in the restposition of the binding.
 19. A ski equipped with a device for fasteninga sports boot, according to claim 1.